Stilt.



-NoQ 652,503.

' Patented June 26,. 1900. w. n. BENJAMIN.

STILT.

lcation filed A WU 13y Henge s,

NITED STATES WALTER R. BENJAMIN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

STILT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 652,503, dated June 26, 1900.

Application filed April 9, 1900.

T0 alt whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WALTER R. BENJAMIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Stilt, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to stilts, and has for its object to provide improved means for adjusting the step longitudinally upon the stick or leg, so as to conveniently vary the height of the step above the ground, and also to secure a very close and accurate adjustment thereof. It is also designed to provide an im proved foot-guard which is yieldable to release the foot in the event of a fall and also to form a brace connection between the upper end of the step and the stick or leg.

With these and other objects in view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanyin g drawings,and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in theform, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a stilt constructed in accordance with tially-triangular block of wood, which has its I upright edge provided with a longitudinal groove 3 of a shape to slidably receive the leg or stick, and the tread 4 of the step is concaved slightly, as usual, to fit the foot. In the outer inclined edge of the block or foot, and substantially midway between the oppo site endsthereof, there'is provided a transverse groove or notch 5 to pivotally receive one transverse bar or end of a closed link 6,

Serial No. 12,173. [No model.)

which embraces both the step and the stick or leg, the inner side Ofi the outer end of the link being formed into a transverse rib or biting edge 7 to bite into the wooden stick and thereby support the step thereon. Itwill be understood that the link loosely embraces the step and the stick, so that the former maybe elevated to loosen the grip of the link upon the stick, whereby the step may be conveniently adjusted longitudinally upon the stick to any desired position. The leg or stick is smooth, so that thelink may be engaged therewith at any point to permit of a close and accurate adjustment of the step.

Secured to the outer edge of the step by means of a suitable fastening Sis a foot-guard 9, in the form of a coiled spring which arches over the upper end of the step and has its upper end provided with a substantially U shaped clip or clamp 10, which slidably embraces the leg or stick, so as to movesimultaneously with the step in the adjustment thereof. It will be observed that this guard forms a brace for the upper end of the step, and while the clip or clamp is looosely slidable upon the leg to facilitate the adjustment of the step, yet when any weight is placed upon the step the clip will bind upon the leg and form a fixed connection between the latter and the step. Also as the guard is in the form of a helical spring it is yieldable to give with the foot and permit of the ready release of the latter from the step and the guard in the event of a fall.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides an exceedingly simple and durable stilt in which the parts are securely connected and the step and its connecting parts may be slid off at either end of the leg or stick to permit of the renewal of any of the parts. Also the step may be adjusted to any point upon the leg and is not limited to any predetermined adjustments, as has heretofore been the case, and the guard for the foot forms a brace for thestep and is arranged to quickly and etfectively release the foot in the event of a fall.

WVhat is claimed is 1. A stilt, comprising a log, a step adjust able longitudinally upon the leg, a foot-guard having its lower end connected to the step, and a substantially U-shaped clip or clamp slidably embracing the leg above the step and also connected to the guard.

2. A stilt, comprising a leg, a step, and an elastically-yieldable arched foot-guard, having its lower end connected to the step, and its upper end slidably connected to. the leg and above the step.

3. A stilt, comprising a leg, a step, and a elastically-yieldable foot-guard.

4. A stilt, comprising a leg, a step, and a foot-guard, formed by a helical spring having one end connected to the step and the opposite end connected to the leg.

5. A stilt, comprising a leg, a step, having one edge provided with a groove to slidably in oneedge of the step, loosely embracing the ep and t e g, and having ts opposite e d arranged for frictional engagement with the outer side of the leg, a helical spring-guard, having its lower end connected to the outer edge of the step, anda substantially U -shaped clip or clamp slidably embracing the leg and connected to the upper end of the springguard.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WALTER R. BENJAMIN.

Witnesses:

LOUIS T. VITT, W. WOLTERING. 

